The rubble breaks off behind me as I grab at the dirt, just pulling myself up as I watch the sink hole engulf the entrance to the dungeon. I switch grips to a strong tree root exposed by the sinking dirt as I grit my teeth. I’m not out of the woods yet. The dirt around me is slowly sinking into the collapsed dungeon at a rate I never expected. My hands tug and pull me up as I finally flip myself on the soft dirt. Getting on my feet I feel the dirt suddenly becoming loose under my feet as I start to run again. My body heavily perspired as I run like the wind, seeing the rocky cliff in front of me as I make a beeline towards it.

The soil underneath finally gives way as I leap out, my fingers gripping the rock cliff as I hang on, looking as the ground underneath me sinks deep into the world bellow. It’s so deep that I can’t even see the bottom. I know I’m free though. All I have to do is one more pull. As I get my chest over the rocks I slide onto solid ground and roll onto my back. Looking up at the blue sky I realize how close that was. In just mere moments I could’ve been one with the earth.

I check my watch. A little over two hours, given the complexity of that dungeon I’m surprised my time was that quick. Still I’m not satisfied. Tomorrow promises yet another adventure. And I’ll look at that adventure and take it head on. There’s nothing that can stop me and I laugh at the face of danger. There’s no such thing as giving up. There’s only doing or dying.

I didn’t expect the end to be so vertical. Luckily my rock climbing and quick wit help me figure out which bricks to grab. I’m racing against time as I watch the sanctuary around me crumble into rubble. Flying chunks of debris fall from the top and come crashing down as I deftly side swing and dodge them. The ascent is taking its toll on me but I love every minute. The way my muscles tense, throbbing from exertion. The way my breath feels thick and heavy as I desperately try to fill my lungs. There’s nothing here but me and the challenge.

Ok that’s a bit of a lie. Hot Rod McGraw is hot on my tail. Has been for the past hour or so and admittedly he’s been a good sport and even better competition. I keep leaping up as I watch Hot Rod gaining on me. He reaches and lifts and jumps at every hand hold he sees me grab. He swings side to side as he reaches to grab my ankle only for myself to pull it out.

“You crazy bitch you’re not getting out of here alive!”

Such vulgarity, I despise it. I try not to dwell on it too much though as I finally pull myself up past the crumbling bricks only to see that the sanctuary had already began sinking. As I see the dirt wall, the exposed roots of ancient trees and my hope starting to dash I look back at Hot Rod trying to pull himself up.

“Help me!” He screams pawing at the crumbling floor.

Walking over to him I simply tilt my head, stomping on his hands over and over. He curses, he screaming, he tries to hang on but soon enough he can’t handle it anymore. Hot Rod falls back into the empty abyss. What can I say? I like winning.

Parkour

Leaping: standard (rank 1)

Just as the water is about to slam me into the back I lunge out into the open, spanning a large chasm as I grab the top of an old pillar. Looking up as I see the entrance so far at the top of the now hallowed out tower as I look around me. The pillars had remained thought slightly crumbled as I get myself up on one foot on my current pillar leaping towards the next closest one.

It’s like a scene out of a video game as I jump from Pillar to pillar, leaping far, leaping upwards, trying to get to the upper parts of the sinking tower as I can hear the water rise bellow me. ”Two dangers for the price of one, how lovely” I think to myself as I keep bounding along. Jumping off the highest tower I grip hard on the exposed brick, using them as hand holds as I try to climb my way to freedom.

Swift

Super Speed: standard (rank 1)

I don’t know how Hot Rod triggered it but the sound is undeniable. He let loose the flood gate on the lower level and the underground river that was blocked up is now flowing like a torrent. I can see the wave behind me gaining speed as I dig deep within myself. My feet start pounding the old stone underneath as I start to dash. I can feel the wisps of water flicking at my heels as I turn quickly, hoping the many corridors will help displace this water a little, just enough for me to make it to the tower.

As I run towards the light I can hear the water behind me coming faster and faster. I know I need a running start to make this. Remembering from the first time I visited the tower to the exit was all but empty save for a series of pillars to the top. Pushing off my legs I jump with a leap of faith. Opening my eyes I can feel the water push off my back as I aim to grab the top of the exposed pillar.

Deft

Reaction Speed: standard (rank 1)

These were old tombs, built to protect the remains of ancient kings and the wealth that was hidden inside. So I guess I shouldn’t be as shocked as I am when the blades start coming out of the walls. Often times I wonder why such security measures were created for the dead but most certainly this wasn’t one of those times. I watch as a blade swings in front of me as I step back at the last second only to roll forward as a swinging blade comes right at my head trying to split my skull in two.

Jumping quickly, ducking and rolling, barely getting through I admit I’m not invincible. A few strands of my hair get cut, a superficial nick here and there on my arms. I finally make it through as I see a large guillotine like blade slam right behind me. A few second too late and I would’ve been sliced in half.

I stop to catch my breath when I suddenly hear something in the distance. It was the sound of rushing water.

Something’s Afoot…

Danger Sense: standard (rank 1)

It had been too quiet for too long. I had dodged the poison darts, dealt with the crocodiles and was unsure what to make of the idol shooting laser beams out of its ruby eyes. It didn’t matter though that was the past and dwelling on the past only gets you to one place in situations like these, dead. You need to be on your toes, anticipate any sort of fucked up contraption that’s designed to take your life and realize it could be anywhere.

I take a few cautious steps in the corridor. Realizing that at any moment something can happen I make sure I’m light on my feet as I try to make up for lost time. Then it hit me, lull my into a sense of false safety then hit me. By instinct I roll forward as I hear the sound of metal smashing stone behind me. It came from a large blade dropping from the ceiling as I look ahead of me. There’s going to be more where that came from.

Death Trap Designer

Creation: supreme (rank 3)

Area Affect

Super Area of Effect

Multi-Attack

Target Seeker

“Take this sack off my head or I swear I’ll kill you when I get free.”

Ripping the burlap sack of Hot Rod McGraw’s face I give him a smirk.

“So you’re the man who fears nothing?”

“Yeah! What’s it to you?”

“I don’t like it. I don’t like the moniker given to a simple dare devil and stunt man. You know I scour the globe looking for people who claim they have no fear and test them. Test them to see if they are as fearless as me and test if they can best me. Hot Rod McGraw you are in one of those tests.”

I start undoing his binding as he panics and looks around the dark room. “What the hell do you mean test?”

“This is an old tomb I’ve converted into a Death Trap. The tomb has its own natural defense but I’ve upped the ante a little. First when I start the challenge the tomb will start sinking into the ground. The only way out is a tower that you must find through a maze of corridors. There are old traps but I’d be concerned with the ones I concocted. A few snake pits, possibly a live tiger somewhere. You get the gist. First one out and doesn’t die of course wins.”

“What are you some sort of crazy woman? You’ll get us both killed!”

I start my timer as I walk over to my side of the round room. Hot Rod tries to chase me but suddenly a wall of spikes shoots up between us.

“We’ll both die if you keep having THAT attitude. Come on Hot Rod have some fun! See you at the finish line.”